Fujitsu steps up efforts to bring partners into VDI market

Fujitsu is raising its game in the virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) market by offering resellers higher margins - and end-users customers improved return on investment - on its Futro range of thin clients. In addition, the company has made two pre-configured "out-of-the-box" VDI solutions available to partners – one Microsoft HyperV-based, the other VMware-based, both built on the company's renowned Primergy server platform.
 
Partners that qualify for the company's Select Expert Workplace accreditation can claim an additional rebate of up to 10% on Fujitsu Futro family of products. In addition, resellers can offer customers Fujitsu's eLux software, which converts standard desktop PCs into thin client devices, thus enabling customers to implement VDI whilst maximising their existing investments in desktop infrastructure.
 
The two VDI systems offerings come ready to deploy with Futro clients or PCs running eLux software.  The Microsoft HyperV-based solution supports from seven users up to 42. The VMware-based offering provides support for up to 40 users and can be expanded and customised to provide as many as 250 virtual clients.
 
Simon Worsfold, channel and enterprise sales director for Fujitsu UK & Ireland's Technology Product Group, says that it's a good time for resellers to enter the virtual desktop space. "The VDI hype cycle is well past its peak and we are now at the stage where companies want to look seriously at pilot projects and actual adoption. Fujitsu has a great proposition for both the channel and end-users. We have a tried and tested partner programme that's delivering great results – and resellers can earn significantly higher rebates when they work with us. From an end-user perspective, Fujitsu provides the very best reliability and built-quality, and exceptional investment protection – which demonstrates that it is the right time for partners to start taking Fujitsu VDI solutions to market."
 
The pre-configured Primergy-based solutions make it even easier for partners to get started, he points out. "These are genuine 'out-of-the-box' solutions that can be set-up within hours. Resellers will also have the backing and support of our own technical teams, so if they are new to VDI, they can feel confident about deploying these solutions.
 
Interest in virtual desktops is rising fast and Fujitsu has already established a strong reputation in this technology segment. It already supports what is understood to be the largest installed base of thin clients in the private sector at a single company – at the Sparkassen German Savings Bank, which has deployed more than 180,000 thin clients, the majority of which are Fujitsu Futro devices.
 
The Fujitsu Futro range offers fully-automated rollout and easy management. Built from high-grade components with no moving parts to ensure a long, trouble-free lifecycle, the Fujitsu Futro thin clients are designed for high performance and productivity and low cost of ownership. The use of power-saving components means that Fujitsu's Futro A300 uses 60% less power than a traditional PC, saving money on lifetime energy costs and enabling a greener operating environment.